This is with reference to the report Saina-sensational win (June 22). We are proud of Saina Nehwal for winning her first Super Series Indonesian Open title.

This is with reference to the report Saina-sensational win (June 22). We are proud of Saina Nehwal for winning her first Super Series Indonesian Open title. The victory, which comes after a gap of eight years, is special because Nehwal defeated the Chinese — considered to be the best in the sport — in the semi-final and final rounds of the tournament. We hope that Nehwal’s victory inspires more Indian women to take up the sport and they bring laurels to the nation.

Bal Govind, Noida

Inflation falls, food prices don’t

Apropos of the editorial Every number tells two stories (Our Take, June 20), though a negative inflation may be good news for the government, the change is insignificant for the aam aadmi who is reeling under the soaring prices of food items. There has been hardly any change in the prices of vegetables and pulses over the past five months, as is the case with fruits, edible oil and cereals. The government should work towards introducing more agricultural reforms, which encourage farmers to cultivate more grains and pulses. This will help curb a further increase in food prices. The UPA government should put this on top of its 100-day agenda if it’s serious about working for the welfare of the people.

S.C. Agrawal, Bhopal

The BJP is missing the point

With reference to the report Fireworks at BJP conclave (June 21), BJP President Rajnath Singh’s reiteration that Hindutva is the national essence of India merely proves that the party hasn’t learnt from its past mistakes. Only a non-secular agenda can help the party to work towards national development and in creating an equal society. It should have realised that the policy of Hindutva, which did not work in the party’s favour in the 15th Lok Sabha elections, will take it nowhere. Politicians should realise the adverse consequences of caste-based politics. For a nation to progress, it is important to give equal rights and opportunities to all communities.

Mathew Oommen, Pune

The Left’s failed in Bengal

This is with reference to Pothik Ghosh’s article CPI(M) vs CPI(M) (June 22). The reason behind the CPI(M)’s inability to ban extremist groups in West Bengal is because even the government has become used to exploiting the Maoists to its advantage. Over the past three decades, the Left government has exploited the poor people in some way or the other. Now that the situation has gone out of control, the state is rushing to the Centre for help. The need of the hour is to conduct a probe into the state’s role in the crisis. It is clear that the CPI(M) has failed to lead the state towards development for the past 30 years.

Tusar Kanti Kar, West Bengal

II

Apropos of the report Lalgarh waits for the final assault (June 21), the prime objective of Maoists today is to spread violence and to indiscriminately kill police personnel and poor civilians. Being posted in a Maoist-prone area in West Midnapore, I have witnessed several social welfare schemes started by the police department for the benefit of poor people. And just when the police had been able to gain people’s trust, the Maoists started spreading terror in these areas. But this rivalry shouldn’t come in the way of the state’s development. It is the duty of the state and the central government to resolve the crisis before more innocents lose their lives.

Priyalal Adhikari, via email

It’s a male-dominated world

I appreciate the earnestness with which our politicians have been debating Women’s Reservation Bill in Parliament. Some of them are in the favour of the Bill while many others have opposed it. The truth is that politics has always been

dominated by men. There might have been a slight increase in the percentage of women in Parliament this year. But, it is men who continue to hold important portfolios at every level. So, even if the Bill gets passed in Parliament, it remains questionable whether women will actually get real power.